A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel will begin on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time, as announced by Qatar. This development offers a glimmer of hope for relief amid the devastation, with families of hostages awaiting updates and Palestinians anticipating the release of detainees. Humanitarian organisations are mobilising to deliver aid, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the ceasefire as temporary, asserting Israel’s right to resume hostilities if necessary. Opposition within Israel persists, as Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has threatened to resign, reflecting the tensions surrounding the agreement.

The ceasefire involves the release of 33 hostages in Gaza over six weeks in exchange for 737 Palestinian detainees, primarily women and minors. An additional 1,167 Gaza residents uninvolved in the October 7 attacks are also set to be freed. The process begins on Sunday, with hostages released first, followed by Palestinian prisoners. Humanitarian aid is expected to flow into Gaza during the truce, with Egypt reopening the Rafah crossing to allow the entry of 600 trucks daily, including essential fuel supplies. However, logistical challenges and concerns about effective distribution persist, as highlighted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The ceasefire marks a pause in over a year of relentless violence that intensified after the October 7 attack. For many Palestinians, it offers a fleeting hope for respite, but the temporary nature of the agreement fuels concerns about a return to hostilities. For displaced residents longing to reunite with family or assess their destroyed homes, this fragile moment carries both optimism and uncertainty.